David Medzerian: Giving news from 2013 a fair shake

Dec. 30, 2013

Updated 8:45 p.m.

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Port of Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners President Thomas Fields waits as Mayor Bob Foster and members of the city council reach a decision on whether to fire Fields from the commission during a city council meeting on Nov. 19. He was voted out. JOSH MORGAN, THE REGISTER

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The Gateway Wine Bar at the Gelson's market on Pacific Coast Highway and Second Street in Long Beach. The supermarket opened Nov. 7, providing an oasis to the "food desert" in East Long Beach. JEFF GRITCHEN, THE REGISTER

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City Hall in Downtown Long Beach on Aug. 5. The building was declared seismically unsafe and a new Civic Center complex is being discussed. JEFF GRITCHEN, THE REGISTER

Port of Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners President Thomas Fields waits as Mayor Bob Foster and members of the city council reach a decision on whether to fire Fields from the commission during a city council meeting on Nov. 19. He was voted out.JOSH MORGAN, THE REGISTER

A year ago, my niece was a newlywed; today, she's an expectant mother.

A year ago, I wanted to lose 10 pounds; today, it's 15.

A year ago, Paula Deen had a TV show, the Lakers mattered and Miley Cyrus was only moderately annoying.

It has indeed been quite a year. So, with a tip of the hat to humor writer Dave Barry's legendary end-of-the-year roundup, let's take our own tongue-in-cheek look back at some of 2013's big stories in the Long Beach area.

January-June

Nothing much happened.

July

July 9: The launch of the Long Beach Register is announced. Debuting Aug. 19, it gives residents a new place to read stories by their favorite Press-Telegram writers.

July 16: In a surprise acknowledgement that he is not Beverly O'Neill, Mayor Bob Foster announces he will not seek a third term.

July 17: The City Council votes to run for mayor.

August

Aug. 29: As work continues on the airport-area replacement for the port's current, seismically unstable headquarters, costs skyrocket due to unexpected expenses such as restrooms. In response to critics, the Harbor Commission pouts and holds its breath.

September

Sept. 10: In an important recognition of the growing power of the stoner bloc, City Council members Al Austin, Suja Lowenthal and Steve Neal propose having the city attorney prepare an ordinance permitting restricted medical marijuana dispensaries. The move could prove politically significant, especially if the beneficiaries put down their bongs and get out to vote on Election Day.

Sept. 19: Citing years of feeling neglected, West Long Beach files to run for mayor.

October

Oct. 18: Councilwoman Lowenthal drops out of the mayoral race, saying voters would be confused by a ballot containing too many candidates named Suja. She instead decides to seek whatever job her ex-mother-in-law doesn't want anymore.

Oct. 20: Published reports reveal that the airport – home to the port's new headquarters building – is miles from the actual port. The Harbor Commission responds by refusing to eat its vegetables.

Oct. 25: After hiring an engineering firm to say that City Hall is seismically unstable, the City Council votes to study potentially replacing the Civic Center complex with something less seismically unstable. The port's real estate experts suggest locations in Ontario and San Bernardino.

November

Nov. 3: Signal Hill files to run for mayor of Long Beach.

Nov. 7: The much-anticipated Gelson's market opens at Second Street and PCH, addressing the “food desert” in East Long Beach that forced residents to buy groceries at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods.

Nov. 19: The City Council fires Harbor Commission President Thomas Fields on Mayor Foster's recommendation. Foster explains that Fields “doesn't kiss up enough.”

Dec. 10: Tired of feeling unappreciated, the Port of Long Beach takes a job as the Port of Oakland. The Harbor Commission locks itself in its bedroom.

Dec. 17: A temporary pool opens to replace the Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool, which closed earlier in the year after being declared seismically unstable. Swimmers still use seismically unstable locker rooms and showers.

And so 2013 draws to a close. What will 2014 bring? Only time will tell, but let's hope it's less seismically unstable.

Contact the writer: David Medzerian is a senior team leader at the Register; his column appears on Sunday and Friday. Reach him at dmedzerian@lbregister.com or 562-999-4929.

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